Cinematic Lots for Charity
© Veda Lane.
To be perfectly biased about it, the independent production company A24 is brilliant. With recent releases like Midsommar and The Lighthouse though, it’s not only a surprise that they’ve decided to auction off their gorgeous props: it’s an absolute delight.
Most movie studio props are condemned to the bins after a production is over, but A24 has made the recent decision to auction off notable props from some of their most successful films over the past few years including Hereditary, Uncut Gems, Euphoria, and Mid-90’s.
Regarding the decision to auction the props, A24 states on their website:
“There's not much use for props and costumes after a production wraps. Typically, they live in a storage unit for anywhere from a few months to a few years, until a production accountant sees the bill and decides it's time to liquidate. At that point, everything goes to thrift stores or the nearest dumpster.
Not on A24 productions. Many of the props, wardrobe items, and set pieces from our movies are works of art in their own right: hand-made, one-of-a-kind objects that are the result of countless weeks, months, sometimes even years of labor.
We built A24 Auctions to give these collectible items the second life they deserve, and to give fans a chance to own a piece of A24 history for good—literally.”
I took a look through some of the auctions, four in all so far which are dispersed across the coming weeks, and picked some of my favourite lots to highlight. While most films have one to two props available, iconic visual movies like Midsommar and The Lighthouse have their own auctions, the props of which are made with love, fear, and a little bit of insanity.
The Annie Doormat. Source: A24.
The Charles Doormat. Source: A24.
1. The Annie and Charles Doormats from Hereditary
Hereditary, alongside being terrifying, is so beautifully handmade. With ten days to go, the embroidered doormats for Annie and Charles have so far reached $7,000 and $4,250 to benefit New York City Health + Hospitals. Health + Hospitals provides scrubs, and groceries, and other integral products and services to New York City healthcare professionals who right now are at the avant-garde of the pandemic.
The Village Vest. Source: A24.
The Village Vest. Source: A24.
The Embroidered Apron. Source: A24.
2. The Villager Vests and Embroidered Apron from Midsommar
I think these lots are my absolute favourite. The care and detail taken with these articles really made the film. Take a close look at the embroidery on the A24 auction website and marvel at the film stills.
The Fresnel Lens. Source: A24.
3. The Fresnel Lens from The Lighthouse
The Fresnel Lens from The Lighthouse is a real feat of prop engineering. The lighthouse in the film was built from scratch, 230 prism acrylic lens included. The mermaid token is also going up for sale. The Lighthouse auction will open on May 11 and winning bids will go to the Food Bank of New York City to support New York’s five boroughs facing food insecurity.
The Furby Chain. Source: A24.
4. The Furby Chain from Uncut Gems
If the Fresnel Lens doesn’t make you feel crazy enough, those decked Furby eyes will. The Furby chain from Uncut Gems is slated to go live for auction on May 4 and the proceeds will support Queens Community House, an initiative which supports the residents of the Queens borough.
The May Queen Costume. Source: A24.
5. The May Queen Costume from Midsommer
If you want to be the queen of madness, grief and charity, then the May Queen costume has it all for you. It’s made with ten thousand silk flowers, weighs in at 33 pounds, and the jewelled flower crown is included in the lot. Thus far the dress has reached $30,000 to benefit the FDNY Foundation which supports New York firefighters and their families during the pandemic.
As of recent, there have been questions and guilt surrounding the purchase of art and collectible items. What’s the point, especially when there’s more pertinent suffering present in the world right now?
Artists, companies, individuals and funding organisations have mobilised to support the creatives that make the world interesting. Auctions aren’t the limit. There are also so many more ways to support vulnerable creative communities right now and give back to those in need:
Foundation for Contemporary Arts provides funding for artists based in the United States who have been negatively impacted by unforeseen circumstances.The Creator Fund Applications are now closed, but that doesn’t mean you can’t donate or companies can’t partner to provide for vulnerable communities in the arts.Emergency Arts Fund (EAF)Artist Relief United States coalitionArcade Campfa Online Residency in Wales has an Open Call for online residencies.an Bursaries: Time Space MoneyArtists' Charitable Fund - Loveland, Colorado provides funding for artist medical bills.COVID-19 Film and TV Emergency Fund UKSupporting Photographers with the Format Photographer FundMusicians' Corona Relief Fund Application provides support for musicians who have been impacted by the pandemic. To be clear, these are just a few options I found with a quick Google search. There’s so much more out there. If you’re an artist, designer, musician, filmmaker, writer, or someone who makes those jobs possible and have been impacted by the pandemic, then relief is available in many different forms.
Auctions like A24, where all of the proceeds benefit charities local to the company, provide a way to support communities and vulnerable populations while maintaining the integrity of artworks created in film production. Go find your favourite artist on Instagram as well. Check to see if they’re participating in or spearheading a personal auction for local charities. Every little bit helps. If you have the financial means to support others in this way, why not?
Image credits to A24 Auctions and A24 Productions
Veda Lane,
Contributor, MADE IN BED